26

HISTORY OP PKGlAIfD.

. look every thing, and to issue your commands. Our businessis to execute those commands bravely and promptly.” Dundeeanswered with calm magnanimity that there was much weight inwhat his friend Sir Ewan had urged, but that no general couldeffect any thing great without possessing the confidence of hismen. “I must establish my character for courage. Yourpeople expect to see their leaders in the thickest of the battle;and to day they shall see me there. I promise you, onmy honour, that in future fights I will take more care ofmyself.”

Meanwhile a fire of musketry was kept up on both sides, butmore skilfully and more steadily by the regular soldiers than bythe mountaineers. The space between the armies was one cloudof smoke. Not a few Highlanders dropped; and the clansgrew impatient. The sun however was low in the west beforeDundee gave the order to prepare for action. His men raised agreat shout. The enemy, probably exhausted by the toil of theday, returned a feeble and wavering cheer. “We shall do itnow,” said Lochiel: “that is not the cry of men who are goingto win.” He had walked through all his ranks, had addresseda few words to every Cameron, and had taken from everyCameron a promise to conquer or die. *

It was past seven o’clock. Dundee gave the word. TheHighlanders dropped their plaids. The few who were so luxu-rious as to wear rude socks of untanned hide spurned themaway. It was long remembered in Lochaber that Lochiel tookoff what probably was the only pair of shoes in his clan, andcharged barefoot at the head of his men. The whole line ad-vanced firing. The enemy returned the fire and did much execu-tion. When only a small space was left between the armies, theHighlanders suddenly flung away their firelocks, drew theirbroadswords, and rushed forward with a fearful yell. The* Memoirs of Sir Ewan Cameron.